Detachable handle for spindles



Jan. 29, 1935. F. J. DAHNKENv ET AL 1,989,083

DETACHABLE HANDLE FOR SPNDLES v Filed Aug. 14, 1953 Patented Jan. 29,1935 PATENT OFFICEl A Y 1,989,083 DETACHABLE HANDLE Fon sPINDLEsFrederick J. Dahnken and Robert H. Dahnken.

Floral Park, N. Y.

Application August 14,v

y 6 Claims.

This invention relates to handle or knob constructions for. useinconnection with spindles of various kinds and classes for rotatingsaid spindles to perform `predetermined operations; and

5 the object of theinvention is to provide means on the handle fordetachably coupling the same with a spindle to securely retain thehandle on the spindle, and still further, to provide a coupling means ofthe class described whereby the 10' handle may be coupled with spindlesof different sizes within predetermined limits; a further object being.to provide a handle of the class described with coupling means in theform ofa plurality of jaws, withv means for moving the If jaws radially.toadjust the same to spindles of different sizes, and further, tosecurely retain the handle against displacement with respect to thespindle; a further object being to provide means on the handle-fortensionally supportingsaid jaws Vin engagement with a lock sleeve or nutemployed for moving the` same into operative position; al still furtherobject being to providea packing and guide ring for engaging the spindleoutwardly of said jaws;v andy with ,these andbther objects view, theinvention consists in a device of lthe class and for thepurposespecifiedywhich is simple in construction, ,efficient inuse, land whichis constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.. y i Y 3o i Theinvention is fully disclosed inthe following specification, of which theaccompanying drawing forms. a part, in which the separate parts of ourimprovement are designated by suitable reference characters in eachofthe views,a.nd in 35 which: Y

Fig. l is a sectional View through a handle made according to ourinvention, indicating one method of its use upon a spindle. K K g Fig. 2is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and, Fig. 3 is a perspectiveview of one of a number of jaw members which we employ.

For the purpose of illustrating one practical use of the invention, wehaveV indicated at 5 in Fig. 1 of the drawing apart of a i'lxture, suchfor example asa valve casing, faucet casing or the like controlling hotand cold water supplies, the valve spindle 6 passing through andprojecting beyond a packing and retaining nut '7 constitut- 50 ing partof the-fixture. Secured to the spindle or valve stem 6 is one of ourimproved` handleV constructions. 8, which as shown, is in the form of aknob such as commonly employedin faucets and having four radiallyextending arms8a, by means of which the handle or knobrmaybe rotated in1933, Serial No. 684,948

opening and dle6. M In spindles of the class under consideration,` it iscommon to provide at the free end thereof an angular end 6a which in theconstruction shown "5 is square in cross sectional form. The handle 8 isprovided with a large recess or chamber 9 centrally of the lower surfacethereof and a smaller chamber 9a, in the latter of which is arranged acoil spring 10 whichr operates to normally extend 1'0" a thimble-shapedbutton 1l outwardly into' the chamber 9 to engage a plurality of jawmembers 12. vThe button 11`has extending stops orvflanges 13 engagingcorresponding inwardly extending flanges 14 at the outer end oftherecess 9a to limit the outward movement of thebutton. y kThe recessor chamber 9 is internally threaded as seen at 9a to receive a locksleeve or nut 15, the bore' of which is beveled at its inner end as seenat 16 to cooperate with .correspondingly l2Q beveled outer walls 12a onthe jaw members' 12 as clearly seen in Fig. 1 of the drawing. `The innersurface of the jaw members 12 is fashioned to form a, plurality ofi-lneteeth 12b which are disposed in aplane paralleling the axis of thespindle 6.l These teeth are adapted to engage'the spindle or the angularportion 6a thereof as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 ofthe drawing tormly grip and support the handle 8 upon the spindle 6 as well as keysaid handle to the spindle. The sleeve or nut v hasfa' hexagon orothersurface 17, by means of which a suitable 'wrench maybe appliedthereto to secure the jaws 12 to the spindle, as will be apparent. l

In some uses of the device, we provide' an 35 annular groove y18 inthebore of the nut 15 adjacent theouter end thereof, and arrange in saidgroovea packing 19 to engage the spindle 6L This packing'may Lbeemployed to prevent mois- I ture from entering the nut 15 ormay beemployed 40 to steady Vand support said nut upon the spindle. In. thisconnection, it will be understood that in some uses of the invention,and especially-where the handle is adaptable to spindles of given sizes,the straightbore portionI 20 of the nut 15 may 545 be made to fit snuglyupon the spindle,thus eliminating the necessity of employing thepacking'18. However, regardless of this fact, the use of the member 18`is lnot absolutely essential. Our improved handle construction lendsitself v" to practical use as a replacement part for the spindles ofvarious types of plumbing fixtures or to the spindles of valves ofvarious kinds and classes,A especially wherein the spindles of differentmanufacturers are of diierent construc- I55 closing theA valve throughtheispintion and vary in diameters. It will be apparent that the mannerof mounting and operating the jaws 12 will adapt the handle to spindlesof different diameters within the limits of the design of the handle, itbeing understood that the handle may be changed in size to suitdifferent size spindles and the jaw members constructed of such size anddimensions as to adapt them to different uses. For plumbing fixtures, arange of approximatelyone-eighth of an inch in the Adifference indiameters will be suiicient to care for the various types of spindlesemployed. However, in other uses, this difference may be greater, and itwill be essential to construct thehandle accordingly.

In assembling the parts ofthe handle, after the button 11 has beenmounted in position upon the spring l0, the jaws 12 are placed in thechamber 9 and the sleeve nut 15 is then placed in posi-V tion byinserting a pin or other tool therethrough to depress the button 11,which will cause the jaws l2 to drop upon said button, providing .thenecessary clearance space for the insertion of the threaded end of thenut 15, after which this nut is tightenedby hand suiiiciently to holdthe parts in assembled position.

In coupling the handle to the spindle, the spindleis frictionally passedthrough the packing ring 18,-when employed, to bring the square orangular end 6a thereof within and between the jaws 12 when in extendedposition, after which the nut 15 is tightened to force the jaw membersinwardly .and radially by thel action ofthe beveled surfaces 16 and, 12aso as to irmlyV grip and secure theijaw members andl handlev to theshaft 6, as will be apparent.' v; e

With our improved handle construction,` it will be understoodgthat aplumber, plumbingrsupply house or the'like, may stock one size only of.handles in the different patterns or designs that may be requiredwandthese, when constructed vaccordeA ing-.to 'our invention, will `be`adaptable for universaluse upon the valves, faucets or other fittingsof thedifferent manufacturers, thus saving the plumber,v merchantordistributorfrom carrying an excessive stock of the different sizes andtypes of handles, in accordance `with-the common practice.

f At thesame time, it will be understood that the manufacturing costAis. materially reduced, and thus the, retail price placed at a"minimum-,by reason ofthe fact that the manufacturer can. go into largeproduction ofthe handles and eliminatethe necessity'of making afewhandles of many sizes and styles. f

V i,[t will be understood that While we have illustra-ted and referredto our invention as `applicable to'plumbing fixtures,- the.y same may beused in conjunction with the spindles of other apparatus or devices ofvarious kinds and classes, and especially wherein handles are subjectedto breakageand replacement thereof is found necessary, andI also whereinit is desirable to securely retain and lock a handle against rotationwith respect to aspindle, it being understood that our inventioneliminates Vthe necessity Of-usng set screws andk similar devicescommonly employed in handle constructions forz'retaining the handles tothe spindles. v c i v It will also'be understood that while wehave showncertain-details of construction for carrying our invention into effectand have illustrated a handle of one contour, our invention is notlimited in these respects-and Various changes in and modifications -ofthe construction herein shownand described maybe `madewithin the scopeof the appended claims without departing from the spirit of ourinvention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A handle of the class described provided with a large socket openingthrough one side face thereof, a1nut in threaded engagement with saidsocket, the bore'of the nut at the innerend thereof being beveled, aplurality of independent jaw members arranged within said socket andhaving beveled walls cooperating with the beveled walls of said nutwhereby-'inward movement of the nut face by=means ofwhich said nut isrotatable with `respectto the handle member, a spring operating memberwithin said socket and cooperating with the jaw members to' support thesame in engagement with said nut, the bore of the lnut at the outer endthereof being of greater diameter than the largest diameter of the innersurfaces of said jaw members when arranged in said socket, and the boreof said nut adjacent the outer end thereof having a packing ring. 1

2. A handle for detachable' mounting witha spindle, said handleincluding a large socket-portion into which one end of a spindle isadapted to beplaced,l a nut mounted in the socket and `in threadedengagement therewith, a plurality of independent ,jaw members arrangedwithinsaid socket and nut and movable inwardly and radially by inwardmovement of the nut with respect to the handle member, a'spring actuateddisk centrally ofthe bottom wall of the socket and normally engagingsaidjaw members to support the same in' engagement with said nut and againstwhich the end of the spindle is adapted'to'press to permit the placementof the end ofthe spindle within said jaw members in the operation ofcoupling the handle with said spindle.

3. A handle for detachable mounting with a spindle, said handleincluding a large socket portion 'into which one end of a spindle isadapted to be placed; a nut mounted in the socket and in threadedengagement therewith, a plurality of independent jaw members arrangedwithin said socket and nut and movable inwardly and radially by inwardmovement of the nut with respect to the handle member, .a springactuated disk centrally ofthe bottom wall of the socket andnormallyengaging said jaw members to support the same in engagement with saidnut and against which the end of the spindle is adapted to press topermit the placement of the end of the spindle within said jaw membersin the operation of coupling the 'handle with said spindle, and meansfor retaining said disk against displacement from said socket.

`4. A handle for detachable mounting with a spindle, said handleincluding a large socket portion into which one end of a spindle isadapted to be placed, a nut mounted in the socket and in threadedengagement therewith, a plurality of independent jaw members arrangedwithin said socket and nut and movable inwardly and radially by inwardmovement of the nut with respect to thehandle member, a 'spring actuateddisk centrally of the 'bottom Wall of the socket and nor-- mallyengaging said jaw members to support the same inengagement with said nutand against which-the endof :the spindle isadapted lto press to permitthe placement of the end of the spindle within said jaw members in theoperation of coupling the handle with said spindle, said nut extendingbeyond the handle to form a gripping surface by means of which the samemay be operated and the bore of the nut being of greater diameter thanthat of the spindle in connection with which the handle is mounted.

5. A handle for detachable mounting with a spindle, said handleincluding a large socket portion into which one end of a spindle isadapted to be placed, a nut mounted in the socket and in threadedengagement therewith, a plurality of independent jaw members arrangedwithin said socket and nut and movable inwardly and radially by inwardmovement of the nut with respect to the handle member, a spring actuateddisk centrally of the bottom wall of the socket and normally engagingsaid jaw members to support the same in engagement with said nut andagainst which the end of the spindle is adapted to press to permit theplacement of the end of the spindle Within said jaw members in theoperation of coupling the handle with said spindle, said nut extendingbeyond the handle to form a gripping surface by means of which the samemay be operated and the bore of the nut being of greater diameter thanthat of the spindle in connection with which the handle is mounted, anda flexible ring ar- 6. A handle for detachable mounting with a spindle,said handle including a large socket portion into which one end of aspindle is adapted to be placed, a nut mounted in the socket and inthreaded engagement therewith, a plurality of independent jaw membersarranged within said socket and nut and movable inwardly and radially byinward movement of the nut with respect to the handle member, a springactuated disk centrally of the bottom wall of the socket and normallyengaging said jaw members to support the same in engagement with saidnut and against which the end of the spindle is adapted to press topermit the placement of the end of the spindle within said jaw membersin the operation of cou` pling the handle with said spindle, said nutextending beyond the handle to form a gripping surface by means of whichthe same may be operated and the bore of the nut being of greaterdiameter than that of the spindle in connection with which the handle ismounted, a flexible ring arranged in the bore of said nut for engagementwith said spindle, and means in the nut for engaging the spindle at apoint spaced with respect to the engagement of the jaw memberstherewith.

FREDERICK J. DAHNKEN. ROBERT I-I. DAHNKEN.

